ARJ BARKER’S KEEPER OR CRAPPER 2011

Arj Barker has come a long way from working at a deli. Not only is he getting paid to tell jokes, he’s going to get paid to test drive his new material on a guinea pig audience. A pretty sweet gig for Australia’s favourite slacker comedian. We chat about a less glamourous employment history with the Flight of the Conchords alumnus as he prepares to get up close and personal with his loyal fans at the Old Fitzroy Theatre.

Do you remember working a nine to five job?

Yeah, I had a couple of them but I never stayed long. I worked in a computer shop. Actually, I don’t think I ever had a Monday to Friday, nine to five job. When I started doing stand-up, I was working with a wallpaper company. I was there whenever there was work.

What was your worst job?

I think my least favourite job was in high school when I had a clean-up shift at a deli. I think I worked two hours a day. All I’d do was clean up gross stuff that collected throughout the day. The worst was this chicken rotisserie, with all the fat and gross stuff dripping down into this thing that you had clean up. And the boss wasn’t very nice, I was afraid of him.

How old were you?

Seven.

Seven?

Yeah, fake ID.

Uh huh…

Nah, I was like fifteen I think.

If you weren’t a comedian, what would you be?

I think I’d be a door-to-door encyclopedia salesman. But I think business would be tough since the internet came out.

Jan 23-Feb 12, Old Fitzroy Theatre, cnr Cathedral St & Dowling St Woolloomooloo, 1300 438 849, rocksurfers.org